Research Methods - Chapter 14.doc

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School

Western University

Department

Sociology

Course

Sociology 2206A/B

Professor

Neil Holt

Semester

Winter

Description

Research Methods
Chapter 14: Historical-Comparative Research
[Introduction]
- Collection of techniques; some blend into traditional history, other quantitative
research
- Suited for examining combinations of social factors
- Good for comparing entire social systems
- Can strengthen conceptualization and theory building
- Difficulty: needs knowledge of past and other cultures
[Logic of Comparative Research]
- Appropriate when asking big questions
- See no difference between HC and quantitative – both measure variables, test
hypotheses, analyze quantitative data and replicate research data
- Differs from interpretive approach
- Criticized for small sample sizes
- Similar to field research because:
- Both recognize researcher’s point of view is unavoidable
- Both examine great diversity of data
- Both use Grounded Theory: theory emerges during process of data
collection
- Both research meaning differs from that f people she is studying
- Both focus on Process and Sequence
- Both generalization and theory are limited in research
- Unique because it relies on limited and indirect evidence
- Must also interpret evidence –everyone will have a different interpretation
- Recognizes capacity of people to learn, act on what they learn and modify the
course of events
- Unique because integrate micro and macro levels
[Steps in Historical Research Project]
- Conceptualizing object of inquiry
- Locating evidence
- Evaluating Quality of Evidence
- Organizing Evidence
- Writing Report
[Data and Evidence in Historical Context]
- Historiography: method of doing historical research or of gathering/analyzing
historical evidence
- Primary Sources: Items belonging to those in the past that have survived to the
present
- Secondary Sources: writings of specialist historians who have spent time
studying primary sources
- Running Records: files or existing statistical documents maintained by
organizations Research Methods
Chapter 14: Historical-Comparative Research
- Recollections: words or writings of individuals about past lives or experiences
based on memory
- Oral Histories: pass on information not by written by words
- Research with secondary sources limit chances of acc